Nevada
Driver Information By State
Every state regulates driver's license eligibility of persons with certain medical conditions. The most common requirement for people with epilepsy is that they be seizure free for a specific period of time and submit a physician's evaluation of their ability to drive safely. Another common requirement is the periodic submission of medical reports, in some states for a specified period of time and in others for as long as the person remains licensed.
Select the state you want to find information about, or if you are moving and would like to compare two states' driving laws side by side? Choose the two states below to compare.
| Law | Nevada |
|---|---|
| DMV Appeal of License Denial | Yes |
| Doctors to Report Epilepsy | Yes |
| Periodic Medical Updates Required After Licensing | Annually for 3 years |
| Seizure-Free Period | 3 months, with exceptions |
Nevada Driver Licensing Laws
Nevada may issue a license to an individual with epilepsy if not significant enough to impair driving ability. Applicant must have a physician certify via letter to Department that they have been seizure-free for 3 months or the incident was isolated. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.370 (2020). The letter must also indicate whether medication has been prescribed will interfere with ability to operate a vehicle safely and the date of the most recent seizure. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.370 (2020). A person who has been seizure-free for 3 months may be issued a restricted license, which requires the individual to submit annual medical reports. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.350 (2020). The Department will place any other restriction (not listed) on the license if the physician so recommends. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.350 (2020). According to the DMV, once the individual has been seizure-free for 3 years, the reports are no longer required. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.350 (2020).
Medical information is kept confidential and maintained in a file separate from the driver's accident history. A person who fails to submit to a medical examination will have their license revoked. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.320(1) (2020). If a person is determined to be physically unable to safely operate a vehicle, the licensee must surrender their license within fifteen days. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.320 (2020). The license will be cancelled if the person has a seizure, and it will remain cancelled until three months have elapsed since the seizure. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.320 (2020).
A person whose license is denied, revoked or cancelled may appeal the decision by requesting a departmental hearing. The request must be in writing and submitted within thirty days. Upon request, applicant must present all available information deemed necessary to determine fitness to operate a vehicle (this includes a physician statement). NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.390 (2020). Judicial review is available under NEV. REV. STAT. § 483.520 (2020). A person's whose license is cancelled due to a medical reason may obtain a Nevada identification card free of charge. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.320 (2020).
Commercial Driving
Nevada has adopted the federal regulations governing the licensing of truck drivers. Upon certification from a physician, a person with epilepsy may obtain a commercial driver’s license if they have been seizure-free for 1 year preceding the application. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.8031(2) (2020). Individuals may be licensed to drive passenger-carrying vehicles such as taxis, buses or school buses if they obtain a federally approved waiver or the individual has been seizure-free for 3 years.
Nevada Identification Card
Nevada offers a non-driver identification card. An applicant must bring legal proof of name, date of birth and social security number as well as pay a fee. NEV. ADMIN. CODE § 483.050 (2020).
Nevada Reporting
Physicians are required to provide the Department of Motor Vehicles a written statement regarding the patient’s diagnosis and ability to operate a motor vehicle within fifteen days of making such a determination. NEV. REV. STAT. § 629.047 (2020). The information is kept confidential, and is used solely for determining whether the patient is eligible to operate a vehicle safely. NEV. REV. STAT. § 629.047 (2020).
© 2020 Epilepsy Foundation. All rights reserved. This summary was developed for informational purposes by the Epilepsy Foundation and reflects a review of data available as of August 2020. Information is subject to change. This summary is not a substitute for legal advice. For further information, please consult your state Department of Motor Vehicles.